HILTON HEAD ISLAND — It was a good thing Brandt Snedeker timed his shot so well.

Snedeker kick-started the RBC Heritage at the Harbour Town Golf Links on Monday with the defending champion's traditional tee shot into Calibogue Sound. The familiar blast of a cannon coincided with the drive, and its volume caught the world's 23rd-ranked player a little off guard.

“They gave me earplugs, and I thought they were acting a little crazy,” Snedeker said. “I'm glad they didn't (fire the cannon) earlier or I would have missed the golf ball.”

After last year's victory, Snedeker was worried he might miss the opening ceremony entirely — because it wasn't clear that there would even be a Heritage this year.

The 2011 tournament, which Snedeker won by defeating Luke Donald in a playoff, was held without a title sponsor and was in danger of folding.

But Royal Bank of Canada and Boeing agreed to five-year deals last summer to sponsor the event, saving South Carolina's only annual PGA Tour stop.

“A year ago, the future of this event was unknown. We weren't even sure we would be here today,” Heritage board member Ward Kirby said. “But through the efforts of so many people, we are here celebrating.”

Snedeker said that he was one of many professionals who joined the effort to preserve the Heritage. They called PGA officials regularly to express support for the tournament and offered to help court potential sponsors.

RBC and Boeing wound up solidifying one of the players' favorite spots on Tour. Harbour Town ranked as the professionals' second-favorite course in a Golf World survey released in January. Augusta National, home of the Masters Tournament, was rated No. 1.

“You're only second behind the Masters, so I think you're doing O.K.,” Snedeker told the crowd gathered in the stands at the 18th green.

Snedeker cited the family atmosphere and the course layout as reasons Hilton Head is one of his top destinations each year.

Though 2011 was an exception, the Heritage is traditionally held one week after the intense pressure of the Masters. The amenities at the Sea Pines Resort have led some players to turn Heritage week into a family vacation.

The Harbour Town course, at 7,101 yards this year, makes it a unique setting for a PGA event. It's much shorter than the long, wide-open layouts the pros see most weeks.

“The course here hasn't changed in 40 years,” Snedeker said. “It's like the courses a lot of us grew up playing, a shorter course.”

Harbour Town also holds a place in Snedeker's heart because it was the site of his second PGA victory.

Snedeker enters this week's tournament, which begins with Thursday's first round, having won the Farmers Insurance Open in January. He finished in a tie for 19th last week at the Masters.

Last year, Snedeker tied for 15th at Augusta. He rallied with a 7-under 64 in the final round of the Heritage two weeks later to force the playoff with Donald.

“My strategy is to do what I did last year,” Snedeker said. “I'm going to try to recreate that magic.”